So Im 3 days post op, but ready to get to losing! I've got plantar facitis (spelling?) in my right foot and have problems with my hips and knees too...My heaviest was 512 and day of surgery I was 467. So 45 down, but surgeon and nutritionist still suggest low impact exercises until I drop a bit more. I love the idea of water exercises, but wonder how effective they are? I thought about joining the YMCA here, but don't know what kinds of classes they offer. Would swimming laps to begin be enough? Anyone do water exercises or know of a place I can find good resources to refer to? Thanks everyone!!

I was doing Water aerobics for a couple of years before surgery, and kept them up for about a year afterwards. To be honest, while I have quit (trying to get to the pool at 7:00 a.m. was too much for me), I have often regretted it.

I don't know how much it helped me in losing the weight, but it was fantastic for toning me up. I haven't gained since quitting, but I have definitely gotten looser.

So yeah, definitely get into a water aerobics class... It is the best thing for your joints and muscles as low-impact goes.

My daughter and I go to water aerobics 5 mornings and 3 nights a week, and we love it! It doesn't seem like exercise! I hate to go to a gym, and I always find an excuse to not walk, but I am up and ready for water aerobics. Unfortunately, in our area the pool is only open for the summer and today is the last day!

Exercise in the water is so much easier. I can do things I wouldn't be able to do out of the water, and no one can see my saggy belly flapping under water. Try it, I hope you like it as much as we do!

Im gonna call the YMCA tomorrow! They have the only indoor pool in town and they also offer classes! Im crossing my fingers its in my price range!

Banded 8/20/2011 - Heaviest: 512 - Current: 467

i start under water treadmill next week again

Hi I'm a big proponent of water based exercise. Before my lap band Journey I started exercising because I had a horrible knee problem and needed to lose weight. I bought myself a fat lady swimsuit online because there wasn't I store the carry my size locally. From diet and swimming 7 days a week for an hour I lost 100 pounds. Huge difference in my knee pain. With my work schedule there were times I couldn't get a lane at the pool and have ended up taking the water aerobics classes. You'll discover some instructors are much better than others. You should feel comfortable asking them how to make the moves either harder or easier. Since surgery I've lost another 72 pounds. Now that my knee problem is so much better I can do land based exercises. But I still go to water aerobics and I still do lap swimming. For swimming I highly recommend a waterproof m p 3 player. Makes the experience so much more enjoyable. Considering I use to use it everyday for an hour spending 100 dollars is completely worth it. I also use it if I'm going to do water aerobics on my own on the weekend when the classes aren't run. Also I think it helped me not to have loose skin. It's a great way to tone your core.

I am water girl too. Laps walking anything in water keeps myback paindown! I recommend the onestopplus.com website for larger sized suits at decent (clearance) prices! CCornell you will be able to do lots that won't aggravate your foot pain!

I started going a few years ago and I LOVE it! I remember the first time I went, I saw all these "old ladies" and thought, this will be an easy workout. I was wrong! I was litterally sweating while in the water, it's a great workout. You do cadio and weight training. My place stops for the summer so I can't wait for next month to start going again.

The only safe place for me to get exercise at this point in time is in the pool, as advised by my orthopedic surgeon. My bariatric surgeon still insists that I should be taking brisk walks daily, and I tell him that I would love to, and wish that I was able to.

I attend Water aerobics class at my local "Y" several times a week...it does help with toning and flexibility, though I do find it difficult to get me heart rate up. Swimming laps is also excellent exercise, but physically that's not an option for me.

Not only does exercise in the water provide very low/no impact, the resistance exercise does alot to help tone muscles.

The "Y" was very affordable for me to join, as mine is only an individual membership. They have an indoor therapy pool, and has everything I need to stay active and relatively pain free.

Best wishes...